Should New York\u2019s legislators and state government heads get pay raises?\u00a0 Asking that question usually has people grabbing for their pitchforks and torches.\u00a0 Pay raises for politicians has as much popular support as the plague \u2013 which is why there hasn\u2019t been one in New York in nearly 20 years.<\/p>\n
Governor Cuomo and state lawmakers know that proposing a pay raise is far too close to political suicide, so last year they created a commission to study the idea and make recommendations.<\/p>\n
The commission has appointees of the governor, the legislative leaders, and the courts.\u00a0 The commission held a hearing n New York City last week and it was reported that they are considering a 47% pay hike.\u00a0 According to media reports, under consideration is a plan to raise the base salaries of state legislators from the $79,500 they make now to as much as $116,900.\u00a0 Many legislators also get additional pay tacked on to that $79,500 base for things like chairing a committee.<\/p>\n
Before you reach for torches, let\u2019s examine some of the arguments for and against raising public officials\u2019 pay.<\/p>\n
New York pays its state lawmakers comparatively well: the governor gets the third highest salary ($179,000) in the country (Pennsylvania is tops, followed by Tennessee) and our legislature gets the third highest salary (behind California and Pennsylvania) for what is technically a part-time job.\u00a0 So what\u2019s the argument for pay increases?<\/p>\n
Supporters argue that state elected officials haven\u2019t had a pay increase since 1999, which is a long time.\u00a0 No one would like to experience that.\u00a0 Of course, for many Americans, pay has been stagnant for a long time.\u00a0 Still no one wishes<\/em> for pay freezes for decades<\/em>.<\/p>\n In recent times, Albany has been able to get some important things done.\u00a0 During the Cuomo years, budgets have been more or less on time.\u00a0 Big issues \u2013 no matter what you think about them \u2013 have been tackled: property tax cap, personal income tax reforms, marriage equality, minimum wage increases, gun control, and funding increases for education.<\/p>\n Still, polls consistently show that New Yorkers are deeply unhappy with the performance of the state\u2019s elected leaders.\u00a0 A chief argument against the pay increase is that the governor and the leaders seem incapable or not interested in stemming the plague of corruption that has gripped the Capitol.<\/p>\n Just this year, the former heads of the Assembly and Senate were convicted in federal court on corruption charges and expelled from their legislative seats.\u00a0 You would think that Albany\u2019s \u201cWatergate moment\u201d would be followed by major reforms.\u00a0 But nothing.<\/p>\n Major scandals followed by a failure to enact significant corruption-busting reforms should not be rewarded with a gigantic pay hike, to the highest in the nation.<\/p>\n That\u2019s not to say no pay raise should ever be considered.\u00a0 Most New Yorkers would consider it reasonable for public officials\u2019 salaries to be adjusted by a truly independent commission.<\/p>\n The commission idea makes sense, if it\u2019s genuinely independent.\u00a0 An independent commission would not only be free from political meddling, it would make its recommendations based on objective analyses conducted in a public manner.<\/p>\n Whether this commission meets those standards remains to be seen.\u00a0 The majority of the pay raise commissioners were picked by the governor and the legislative leaders.\u00a0 Sounds like a commission that could be taking orders, not one designed to be independent.<\/p>\n New Yorkers have seen far too many commissions that serve at the beck and call of the political establishment.\u00a0 Time will tell if this commission is free to conduct and follow objective analyses.<\/p>\n Here is where you come in.\u00a0 The commission has to wrap up its work no later than November 15th<\/sup> \u2013 which is, of course, right after the elections.\u00a0 The commission is accessible for public comment via email at:\u00a0 nyscompensation@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you contact the commission ask them if they will promise to release their recommendations well in advance<\/em> of this November\u2019s elections.\u00a0 In that way, the public can tell candidates for office what they think of the recommendations and hold them accountable if elected.<\/p>\n They will be meeting again after Labor Day.\u00a0 So there is still time to let them know what you think. One last time, the commission\u2019s email address is<\/p>\n